Consequences

     Archie Comics has been around for 70 years. There have been 5 essential characters who lived in the fictional town of Riverdale, USA:

Archibald ‘Archie’ Andrews, Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Lodge, Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Cooper, Forsythe ‘ Jughead’ Jones and last but not least Reginald ‘Reggie’ Richard Mantle III. They were all known as the ‘core five’. There were many friends of theirs added over the years: Ethel Muggs, Midge Klump, Charles ‘Chuck’ Clayton, Marmaduke ‘ Moose’ Mason, Cheryl and Jason Blossom and Nancy Woods.

 Archie, Betty and Veronica have been in an eternal love triangle during all of that time. Archie chased Veronica, Betty chased Archie. Archie chased Betty when Veronica chased Reggie and vice versa. Betty went out with Reggie when Archie was dating someone else. Jughead is Archie’s best friend and he chased food.

They have all been depicted as grownups in various special series by Archie Comics. Inc., but never in the way they will be portrayed in this story…

Chapter One

      The Riverdale bunch were no longer children. They were all twenty-five years old and celebrating this night because Reginald Mantle III had just proposed to Veronica Lodge, and she accepted. Reggie and Veronica were going to get married.

The love triangle was finally over. Betty Cooper was trying to be happy for her friends. Now she had Archie Andrews to herself. She and Veronica would no longer be fighting over Archie.

“Congrats  Reggie old pal. I wish you all the happiness in the world.”  Betty was dancing with Reggie after Veronica’s acceptance of his proposal. She planted a warm kiss on his lips. He was her very good friend. Reggie had always been there when she needed comfort after Archie stood her up to go out with Veronica. She always had fun on their dates. Reggie had turned into a very desirable man.

“Looks like we will both have our heart’s desire Babe.” He was grinning from ear to ear, stealing looks at his beautiful dark haired fiancé. Veronica was watching them both very closely. She was very jealous of any woman who got close to Reggie. Reggie was as handsome as a Greek god. He  was tall, dark and wickedly handsome, very sophisticated and dressed well. His being wealthy didn’t hurt either.

“Yes, Archie and I will follow in your footsteps soon, I hope.”

    Betty’s best friend and rival Veronica Lodge will no longer tempt and chase Archie. Betty’s beautiful blue eyes were in search of her fickle boyfriend, and widened when she saw him cozy with another rival for his affections, Cheryl Blossom.

“ What now? Excuse me Reggie. Old Arch is at it again.” Betty went flying over to claim her man. Reggie  watched her as she ran to claim Archie, yet again, from another woman. He just shook his head. Andrews is such a fool.

“Archiekins, let’s dance”, Betty called to him. When Archie saw Betty coming towards him, he pulled Cheryl to the dance floor, leaving Betty standing there, shocked at his rudeness.

“Come on Babe, let’s finish our dance.” There he was again, her dark knight in shining armor to the rescue: Reggie Mantle. Soon he would be Veronica’s husband.

“What will I do after your marriage Reggie? No one looks after me like you do.”

Reggie held her close. “I’ll always keep an eye out for you, Bets. Don’t worry. Just remember, Archie Andrews is a fool. There are thousands of guys who would be proud to date you. I keep telling you that. You are a hotty, Babe.” With her lush blonde hair and curvy figure, Betty Cooper could have any man she wanted.

“May I cut in?” Veronica did not like seeing Reggie so close to Betty. Sometimes she wondered about how close their friendship went…

     Betty reluctantly surrendered her partner to his fiancé, smothering a sigh. Why do I feel so let down and sad? She had Archie, the love of her life to herself. She was happy. Wasn’t she?

She watched as Archie held Cheryl Blossom close, and was not so sure she was so lucky to have him. The sight of them did not bother her as much it should have.

Then her eyes fell on Reggie and Veronica. She felt a strange twinge at the sight of them. Would she and Archie ever look that good together?